Native Plants

Purple Phacelia

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Summary

Purple phacelia, a relatively unknown biennial, can be used to quickly cover a large area in a sea of foliage and flowers. The divided leaves grow to a height of 5” the first summer and linger until late fall. The following spring, they re-emerge, culminating in 12-15” tall plants covered with masses of purple flowers that last for about a month. Purple phacelia readily self-sows thereby assuring a continuous display. It tolerates most soil types and grows best in part shade. Stylophorum diphyllum and Polystichum acrostichoides complement purple phacelia. Fall bloomers like Solidago caesia and Symphyotrichum oblongifolium provide a color contrast mingling with the green leaves of purple phacelia.